The Real Reason Your Website Doesn’t Show Up on Google (And How to Fix It)
You’ve typed your business name into Google. You’ve searched for your service in your town. And still… nothing.
Your website’s live, you paid good money for it, and yet it’s like Google doesn’t even know it exists.
If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. I hear it all the time from small business owners around Hampshire and Surrey – and the good news is, it’s usually fixable.
Let’s break it down. Here’s why your website isn’t showing up on Google – in plain English – and what you can do about it.
First, Is It Even Indexed?
Before anything else, let’s check whether Google even knows your website exists.
Open a browser and type this into the search bar:
site:yourdomain.co.uk
(Replace with your actual domain name.)
If you see your pages listed, it’s indexed. If nothing shows up? That’s step one sorted: Google hasn’t even found your site yet.
Here’s why that might be happening…
Common Reason 1: You’ve Just Launched
Google doesn’t crawl your website the instant it goes live. It can take days or even weeks for it to appear in the index – especially if no one’s linked to it or submitted it directly.
Fix:
Go to Google Search Console and submit your website’s sitemap. If you’re using WordPress, a plugin like Yoast can generate one for you automatically.
Common Reason 2: Your Site Is Blocked from Indexing
This is shockingly common. I’ve seen websites where the developer forgot to uncheck the “Discourage search engines” box in WordPress, or where a misconfigured robots.txt file tells Google to stay away.
Fix:
Log into WordPress. Go to:
Settings > Reading
Make sure the box labelled “Discourage search engines from indexing this site” is unchecked.
Also check your robots.txt file (ask your developer or hosting provider if unsure).
Common Reason 3: You’re Missing Basic SEO Setup
Even if your site is indexed, it might not show up for the terms you care about. That’s where on-page SEO comes in.
Things like:
- Proper page titles (H1, H2 structure)
- Meta descriptions
- Keyword placement
- Clean URLs
- Optimised images
- Mobile-friendly layout
- Fast page load speed
If these aren’t in place, your site won’t rank well – or at all – for local searches.
Fix:
Use a plugin like Yoast SEO to help guide your page optimisation. Or talk to someone (like me!) who can review and fix your setup.
Common Reason 4: Your Site Is Too Slow
Site speed is now a major ranking factor for Google. If your website takes 4, 5, or 6 seconds to load – you’re losing both visitors and ranking position.
This is often caused by:
- Slow hosting
- Poorly coded themes or page builders
- Giant uncompressed images
- No caching or performance plugins
Fix:
Run your site through PageSpeed Insights. Look at the results, and take action – or get help fixing the worst offenders. Good hosting makes a huge difference.
Common Reason 5: You’re Not Targeting Local Keywords
If you’re based in Aldershot but your home page doesn’t say “Aldershot” anywhere, Google has no clue where to rank you. Same goes for “web designer”, “accountant”, “plumber”, or whatever your trade is.
Google needs context.
Fix:
Update your main pages to include local keywords naturally – things like:
- “Freelance web designer in Aldershot, Hampshire”
- “WordPress web design for Surrey-based businesses”
- “Affordable hosting and website support in Fleet and Farnham”
You don’t need to go overboard – just help Google understand where you are and who you help.
Common Reason 6: You Have No Backlinks
Google uses links from other websites as a trust signal. If no one links to your site, Google sees you as brand new or unproven.
This especially affects competitive keywords, where more established businesses already have lots of inbound links.
Fix:
Start small. Ask to be listed on local directories like Yell, FreeIndex, or your local Chamber of Commerce. Link to your site from your social profiles. And if you work with partners or suppliers, see if they’ll link to you too.
Common Reason 7: You Don’t Have Google Business Setup
For local searches, Google Business Profiles are vital. If someone types “web designer Aldershot” or “electrician near me”, Google’s local map listings will often show before any websites.
If you’re not there – you’re invisible.
Fix:
Head to Google Business Profile and set up your listing. Make sure it’s fully filled out with photos, categories, opening hours, service area, and – importantly – your website URL.
What About “SEO Agencies” That Guarantee Rankings?
Here’s the truth: no one can guarantee #1 rankings – and anyone who says they can is probably being economical with the truth.
That said, with the right structure, content, and local focus, most small business sites can rank very well for their area and niche.
It just takes honest effort, smart decisions, and a little consistency.
What You Can Do Next
If you’re frustrated that your website isn’t showing up on Google – or you’ve tried all of this and still aren’t getting found – I’m happy to take a look.
No jargon. No hard sell. Just honest feedback about where your site stands and what you can do to improve it.
Remember: your website should be working for you – not hiding in the background. Let’s get you seen.